Magnetic motion-controlling mechanism



Oct. 3, 1944.

C. LURTZ MAGNETIC MOTION-CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed. Feb. Y9, 193s 55 frus f48 mvm.

Patented Oct. 3, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE carl Lum, Brooklyn, N. Y.V

Application February 9,1938, Serial No. 189,560

8V Claims.

This invention relatesvto magnetic motion-controlling mechanisms. and is, more particularly, concerned with that type ofl mechanism wherein the operativeness, or the specific mode of operation, of a movable operating element in the structural organization is dependent on an articially produced magnetic .'deld.

The invention in the present instance is embodied in an apparatus wherein the magnetically controlled operating member is adapted to control the rate of motion in a gear-train with cooperation of an escapement device, of a construction suitable for incorporation in a timing mechanism for indicating the time, or for eiecting delayed action at a predetermined time in' an adjunctive device operatively associated with the Asaid escapement-controlled gear-train.

Among the objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of means for establishing in a definite region a magnetic neld reactive on one or more operative members forming part of the motion-controlling mechanism characterized by a novel arrangement of its interactive parts,

In carrying out the present invention, certain novel and efficient means and mechanism are employed, among which may be mentioned the arrangement of a plurality 'of magnets movable one relative to the other in such a manner that the intensity of the eiective magnetic eld ina particular region, re-active on an operatively associated movable control-member, may be altered at will for obtaining the desired'degree of magnetic operating force within specific limits.

Other features of the invention reside in the particular arrangement of the movable paramagnetic operating parts in the motion-controlling device relative to the magnets thereof, adapted to enable at least two mechanically separated movable operating parts to be nterllnked for driving connection by a magnetic couple.

Features of the invention, other than those adverted to will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View, on line I--l of Fig. 2,

the invention, showing adaptation of an electromagnet instead of a permanent magnet, and also a modified adjusting device for the magnet.

- Fig. 7 is a face view of a horse-shoe magnet and the balance-wheel armature, in combination with which an adjustable device of a diierent form is shown for varying the magnetic moment.

Fig. 8 is an edge view of the magnet and armature, showing a thermostatic device for automatically moving the magnet to and fro the armature, with variation in temperature.

Fig. 9 is a cross cut of a modication, showing a magnet and armature mounted near each end of the balance-wheel arbor.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of the invention, showing the magnet relative to the armature in an edge-on position.

Fig. 11 is a cross cut of another modification, showing magnets and armatures mounted respectively on two separate shafts having a com- One form of the present invention is shown associated with a specific type of escapement, best seen in Figs. 1 and 2; this escapement may be regarded. as an exemplication of the motioncontrolling unit, and the several operating elements thereof will first be briey described. f

The escape-wheel 5 alternately engages with its teeth 4 the pallet 6, xed to the lever l; the latter is provided with a forked end 8 engaging a pin 9 which projects from the balance-wheel l0 relatively near its fulcrum. The detent Il, carried by the comparatively short arm I2, is urged by the lever 'l into the path of the oncoming escape-wheel tooth at the time the said vle ver l receives an impulse from the escape-wheel 5; thus, the latter is alternately brought to a dead stop, each time after impulse action on the lever 'l and the balance-wheel l0 ceases. Return motion of the lever 1, effected by means of the pin 9, when moving with the balance-wheel i0 in a reverse direction to that of impulsion, causes the detent I I to move-out of engagement with its escape-wheel tooth, whereupon the escape-wheel 5 is free to rotate and hence to deliver a succeeding impulse to the lever 'I which impulse in turn is transmitted to the balance-wheel l0,

The lever 'l is carried by the shaft I3, the shaft ,H carries the escape-wheel 5, and the balancewheel l0 is xed to the arbor 3 which is supported by frictionless bearings l5 and I6 secured respectively to the front and rear mechanism plate 1 and I8.

Two spacer posts I9 and 2l) are shown yin the drawings, which, together with other posts not shown, are assembled'with the plates Il and I8, which assembly constitutes the mechanism frame within which thev movement is mounted, coml permanent magnet 23.

train. The direction of motion imparted by the gear train to the escape-wheel 5, is shown' by the arrow in Figure i.

Having now set forth with suicient detail the operation and construction of the particular escapement shown, it will be noted, by following the action oi those escapement parts above described, that the balance-wheel lll is impelled by the fork 'l over a relatively small arc, but once this impulse action ceases, the fork l, in conjunction with the escape-wheel, is not adapted or capable of moving the balance-wheel back from the position to which the latter 'was thus thrown. At this phase oi operation, as is quite evident from an inspection of the drawing, the forliv 'l remains stationary, holding the escape-wheel locked with its detent I I, while the balance-wheel I0 continues to swing in the direction in which it was impelled until its force is spent. detached balance-wheel action is well known by those skilled in the art, the principal result achieved with this free motion of the balance-V wheel is that it contributes to the maintenance of harmonious vibrations.

In the device' ofthe present invention, the

' artificially created magnetic couple, indicated by reference numeral 22, eifects the result heretofore accomplished by means of the hair-spring, usually adopted in time-pieces that have to work in any position.

For the purpose of the magnetic couple herein intended, the latter may be established by mount- Y ing a permanent magnet 23 so that it faces with its Abroad-side an armature 24 fromA which the stationary permanent magnet is kept at a suitable distance. Of course, in order to attain the functional characteristics of a magnetic couple as applied to an escapement, an electro-magnet may also be employed, -as will be detailedly described in connection with Figure 6. Also, instead of making the armature 24 of soft iron, the armature may be made of a permanentV magnet.

Considering now particularly Figures i and 2; there may be seen the armature 24 mounted on a split sleeve 25 wherewith it is frictionally held on the arbor 3. By virtue of said split sleeve, the armature 24 may be manually shifted lengthwise on the arbor 3 and may also be turned with comparative ease on the said arbor so as to enable the angular position of the armature 24 to be coordinated, durin'g assembly of the device, with the angular position of the pin 9, in order to 'cause these members to assume a proper-operative position relative to the magnetic axis of the After assembly of the escapement parts, mounted in the' mechanism frame, the armature 2s, with the above'consideration in View, is turned on its arbor until it causes the lever l to be held'by the pin 9 insuch a position that the escape-wheelteeth 4 clear the vdetent Il, While the armature comes to rest in its zero position (see Figure l). With the escapement parts so adjusted, .the device starts op eratlng at the instant driving power is supplied to the escape-wheel 5, and no other means is Such l necessary to impart initial vibration to the bai ance-wheel, as is ordinarily'the case with the conventional `detached lever escapement and others.

In the device of Figures i and 2, the magnet 23 f the adjusting screw 26 is turned to the left or right whereby the magnet 23 is moved farther away or closer to the armature 24, thus changing the magnetic moment as required for producing the desired rate of oscillations in the armature 24. The adjusting screw 25 is provided with` a neck 2'1 fitted into a corresponding socket in the magnet 23,` as shown in-IFig. 2, whereas the threaded portion of said adjusting screw passes through the mechanism plate I8 and carries onY the outside thereof an indicator 28 whereby the `degree of turning oi the adjusting screw may or the knurled knob 29 may serve to manually easily be determined with cooperation of marks made adjacent the indicator 28 to the mechanism shown'in the drawing. Eitherthe indicator 29 turn the adjusting screw. 1

3A: hole 30 is made through the midsection oi' the magnet'23, as shown in Figure l, so as to "clear the balance-wheel arbor 3." It will be apmade 'effective on the armature, although there are many other arrangements .which may be provided for holding the ,magnet at spaced relation with the armature 24.1'v Several of such modifications are shown in various figures of the drawing which will be described in proper order.` f

Preferably, the center of the longitudinal section of the magnet 23 shouldcome to lie in the center of the armature 24, which is the axis f the balance-Wheel arbor 3.V Such precise positioning of the magnet is of course not absolutely essentiol for the operation. of the device, because the added friction which would be created on. the farther end of the arbor 3, due to diiference oi magnetic moment existing'on one and the other side of the armature 24, to the left and right of the arbor3, if the magnet is not centered with the latter, is not enough to cause seriousjdisturbances in the oscillations, provided the arbor 9 is made of a length suiiicient to oifset a slight athwart stress thereon in case of noncentering of lthe magnet 23. With a comparativelygshort arbor and a comparatively forceful magnetic cou- A nite angular position. In practice this result isl best attained'by makingthe armature and the magnetic! elongated, shape, oi forms, for in@ y stance, asshow'n in the drawings; or of any other shapevcap'able of establishing a -magnetic couple with lines-'of forve traversing in a denite plane so as to cause the armature 24 to swing about its own axis until its greatest length or its portion 'balance-wheel est number of lines of force in the magnetic iield established by means of the artificial magnet or magnets.

For the sake of economy and out of other considerations, the armature 24, being made of soft iron, is made (as shown in several figures of the drawing) much larger than the magnet' 23. The latter may be fabricated from magnetite, from alloy steel of cobalt and nickel composition, or from any other alloy or substance possessing properties suitable for the production of a permanent magnet. 1

In preparing the magnet for the purpose herein intended, the latter, after having been charged to its maximum capacity, should be subjected to an aging process so that thereafter, when the magnet is placed in use it will not sensibly diminish in its intensity of magnetic force.

The intervening space between the armature 24 and the magnet 23 constitutes a. magnetic couple which is indicated by reference numeral 22. It may be assumed that there are two couples, one at the positive and the other at the negative polar region of the magnet 23. But for the purpose of description, the intervening space between these two interacting bodies will be referred to hereinafter in the singular noun only, as the couple.

The balance-wheel I is prevented from being accidentally thrown over too large an arc, by the pin 3| lying in the path of the spoke of the said balance-wheel, see Figs. 1 and 2.

In the following paragragh the action of the escapement device conjointly with the magnetic couple is summed up in a few words: from the .position of rest, shown in Figure 1, the escapeforked end 88, of the said lever, and the pin 3,V

on the balance-wheel I0. AAfter the impelling escape-wheel tooth clears the pallet 6, the detent II checks the escape-wheel 5 while the I0, with the armature 24, is free to swing in the direction in which it was impelled until its force of momentum is spent; the elastic magnetic couple then swings the balance-wheel I0 back, in a reverse direction, so that the balance-wheel may receive a succeeding impulse from the escape-wheel, which impulse is delivered by medium of the fork or lever 1; this cycle of operation is repeatedl at regular intervals as long as driving power is supplied to the escapement wheel 5. v

With the amature 24 -made of soft iron, the angular degree within which-the balance-wheel swings in equal periods is about 180 or less.

then from this zero position the armature 24` is impelled with suicient force so that its positive pole piece moves into the region of the positive pole piece of the magnet 23, then the said armature will be moved back to its means position by medium of two characteristic forces of the twisting couple, namely, a force of repulsion IBut if it is desired to eiectively increase this and a force of attraction in the direction of A 3 'zero position of the armature 24. Assuming now that a conventional detached lever escapement is employed in association with the magnetic armature and the stationary magnet, then, the

balance-wheel, owing to its force of momentum,

tion, and as the armature passes this latter position another impulse is given to it in the direction of its motion by the fork of the escapement mechanism. Thus thebalance-wheel may be caused to swing over an arc as large as with the employment of a hair-spring.

Variation in the rate of oscillation of the armature may be effected by changing the magnetic moment. Many forms of devices can be constructed to accomplish this end. In the drawings are shown several diiferent devices, incorporated with the escapement of this invention, whereby adjustment in the rate of beat can be made while the 'escapement is in operation.

Five different methods lof changing the magnetic moment are herein disclosed, viz, first, the magnetic moment may be changed by variation in the distance of the two magnetically interacting bodies;'second, by insertion of a shield; third, by blocking the magnetic field; fourth, by bridging the polar regions of the magnet, and fth, by defiecting the eiective magnetic lines of force.

Of course, in case an electro-magnet is emplayed, several other methods may be applied for changing the magnetic moment. For instance, any suitable device-interposed in the circuit or otherwise arranged-will serve the purpose in this instance, provided the particular device is adapted for changing the amount of electricity circulating through the coils surhole of the mechanism plate I8, the magnet 23 moves away or toward the armature 24 depending on the direction in which -the adjusting screw is turned. The pins 32 support the magnet 23 and guide it in its motion. Said pins are fixed with their respective ends to the mechanism plate I8 and to the bracket 33; the latter is spaced from the plate I8 -by short posts 34. In the bracket 3-3 is mounted the bearing I6 for the balance-wheel arbor 3.

. It is self-evident that the bracket 33 should be made of diamagnetic material because if made of paramagnetie material it would destroy the magnetic couple almost completely. Some of the suitable metals for the bracket 33 would be brass, copper or german silver. The pins 32 are also made yof nonferrous metal or dielectric material.

When the method of varying the distance between the magnet and the armature is employed lfor changing the degree of resiliency (the teiim resiliency is here adopted due to the function which the couple performs); the oscillations of 400 per minute without making any changes in the escapement other than moving the magnet 23 comparatively close to the armature 24; whereas,

if the said magnet is moved comparatively far becomes too weak compared to the power of impulse imparted to the balance-wheel. This comparatively wide range of variation in the number of oscillations as above stated has'been factually observed in a working model embodying the type of escapement as4 shown in Figure 1. In case the armature 24 is also 'made of permanent magnet, then still greater extremes of high and low numbers of oscillations may be achieved by vary the distance of the intervening space between the magnet-23 and the armature 24. Different maximum and minimum rates of oscillations may be attained with different types of escapements.

-The fact that the escapement device of the present invention possesses this unique feature affording adjustment to be made in the rate of beat so as to causethe escape-wheel to rotate slow or fast within widely separated limits, enables one standard make of escapement to serve for the time-control o! a large number of timemovements used in diierent industrial ilelds and for different purposes.

In Figures 3 and 4 is shown a form of adjusting device embodying ashield 24, adapted to be movedin or out of the space between the magnet 23 andthe amature 24, ioreecting av higher or lower rate of oscillations. The mechanical arrangementfor moving the said shield may be of a construction diierent from that shown, likewise'the shape of theshield and its comparative size may be greatly dissimilar from that shown without fundamentallychanging its operating characteristics.-

The shield 34 may be fashioned from the same material as the arm 35 from which it extends, or may be fastened to an arm made of a different material. In Figure 3 the former construction is shown. The arm is limited in its downward motionby the stop pin 36, and the friction washer 31, together with the post 45, on which the arm swings, serves to holdy the latter in place.

On the free end of the arm is provided an inv dicator 38, adjacent which marks 39 are 'provided on the mechanism plate I8, so that'with cooperation of these marks the desired Aincrease or decrease of oscillations of the balance-wheel may visually be determined.

Assuming that the shield 34 and the'arms 35 are made from a thin sheet of vsoit iron, then a suitable ridge 40 is provided'on that side oi' the shield facing. the magnet 23, so that the former is held at spaced relation with th'e latter,

thus not allowing an excessively large number of lines of force to be drawn oi when the shield 34 is moved into the lnterveiing space between the two magnetically interacting bodies. This ridge may be forced up from the 'face of the material of the -shield itself or then may be made of brass or otherdiamagnetic material ilxed to the shield.

. Eilects, similar to those obtained with a shield comparatively wide and spaced from the magnet, may be obtained with a shield in contact 75 with the magnet 23, provided the shield is made very thin and narrow.

For-microscopic adjustment in the rate of oscillations, the shield may be made o! a suitable diamagnetic material, such as copper for instance. 'Io cause the shield made of this latter material to be effective, it should be made comparatively thick and wide, so that the entire sur face, or more, of the magnet may be covered when the shield is moved in front of the latter. Only a very small number of lines of force can be drawn oil. by\the adoption of a shield made of diamagnetic material, and the variable influence exerted on the armature 24 isgcorrespondingly small as the shield is moved across the magnet 23, but sumces for producing a higher. or lower rate of beat within small limits.

Instead of mounting the shield 34 to the outside of the plate I8, it may be mounted to the inside thereof, so that the said shield comes to lie Within the armature 24 and the wall of the said mechanism plate. If the magnet shield is arranged in this manner, an outcut is made in the face of the shield, from thetop down to its midsection which outcut is adapted to provide clearance for the arbor 3. A further alternative position may be given to the shield 34 by placing it to the outside of the magnet 23.

In the escapement device of Figure 4, the pinl f the mechanism plate I1; this stop is provided with a bend 43 lying in the path of the pin 9;

the same object may be accomplished with an outcut made to the periphery of the disk 4I into which the bend 43 is made to project.

The magnet 23 .is fixed to the bracket 46 in any suitablemanner,` and the latter is held to the spacer posts 44 and 45 by the screws 41 and48.

Partial kbridging of thepolar regions of the magnet 23 may be done with an iron screw or pin 49, shown in dotted lines in Figure4. The said pin is in contact with one of its end-portions with the magnet 23, and the rst named may be slid on the face 0I the magnet by screwing the pin 49 in or out ofits supporting member Il which is also shown in dotted lines and which is fixed above the short post 44 to the mechanism plate I3. By thus causing .a smaller or greater I engthof the end-portion of the ironv pin to come in contact with the magnet 23, the magnetic moment may' suitably be varied for the re- 'quired adjustment in the rate of beat to be eii'ected. i

Other specific and modified construction, shown 'in dotted lines in connection with the device of 1 of the horse-shoe magnet lies the amature l2,

the magnetic couple existing in the space between the said armature and the horse-shoe magnet. Lines of torce are drawn oi by the iron' crossbar 53 which lies on the two parallel members l of the horse-shoe. By sliding the cross-bar Il on the magnet up or down, the `former is carried during its upward motion into comparatively strong polar regions, and in its downward-motion into comparatively weak polar regions; thus a. gain or loss in force of the eiective magnetic tleld between the armature and the magnet is induced by reason of the larger or smaller number of lines of force coming to lie within the cross-bar 53. As a consequence the escapement goes either slower or quicker with shifting of the cross-bar on the magnet from one position to another as above related.

The screw 54 which turns in the rigid supporting member 55, carries the cross-bar 53, the latter being held, by its bent portion 56, to the end of the said screw. lAll the respective Vmembers of the device shown in Figure 7 may suitably be assembled with the supporting frame of the escapement mechanism in manners similar to the other devices hereinbefore described.

For the purpose of establishing a suitable magnetic couple, interacting `with the escapement device, an electro-magnet may be eiectively utilized to accomplish this function.'

One form of a device embodying an electromagnet is shown in Figure 6. 'I'he application of an electro-magnet presents one particular feature which may not be attained with a permanent magnet, viz., it enables the escapement to be stopped or started from a remote distance, al-

though the escape-wheel may still be under the influence of the driving power of the gear-train which the escapement device is adapted to control. To state more particularly; when the current for'the magnet-coil 51 is cut oi, then the soft iron core 58 becomes demagnetized and ineffective, as a consequence the armature 24 is not moved back to impulse-receiving position and the escape-wheel' 5 (see Fig. l) comes to rest ldifferent kinds of metals joined together.

Up to this part of the description an account has been given only of that general type of adjusting devices, for varying the magnetic moment, which were operable manually but not automatitcally. In the device of Figure 8 an example is given 'how automatic changes in the magnetic moment may be effected.

'I'he magnet 23, facing the armature 24, is mounted on a strip of metal 65 which forms an arm for the magnet; this metal strip is provided with bent portions 61 for the accommodation of a pin 68 which passes through the bracket 69, fast on the mechanism plate I8, thus a hinge is formedfor the arm 66 of the metal stip 65. To the right of thepin 68 extends a comparatively short lever 10 also formed from the said metal producing a metal strip that exes a denite degree with ademte degree of rise or fall in temperature, the strip 13, vas shown, is made of two One of the metals, composing the strip 13, possesses a different heat coeicienc'y from the other. Consequently, as the temperature changes, the end of the strip'13, projecting. into the outcut l 312, will move the lever 10 and the arm 66 with with one of its teeth on the detent Il, while the lever 1 remains in the positionl it assumes after delivery of an impulse to the balance-wheel arbor 3, and. in the absence of a magnetic couple no further action can take place. But at the instant the circuit is closed and current is introduced intothe magnet coil 51 through the electrical conductors 59 and 60, the iron core becomes immediately magnetized, thereupon the magnetic force so produced acts on the armature 24 which now moves toward its zero position while tending to include the greatest number of lines of force; in the zero position the armature 24 is enabled to receive an impulse from the lever 1 which, during motion of the armature produced by the couple, causes the detent Il to unlock the escape-Wheel 5.

The intensity of magnetism of the iron core 58 may be controlled by a variable resistance. such as an adjustable rheostat interposed in the circuit passing through the coil 51, or instead of the last mentioned means, the magnetic moment may be changed by methods as previously described in connection with permanent magnets.

In association with the electro-magnet of Fig.

6, a modiiied device is shown for changing the distance between the armature 24 and the electro-magnet 58. The iron core 58 swings on a pivot 6i borne by the bracket 62 which bracket is rigid with the mechanism plate I 8. 'Io the free end of the iron core 58 is mounted a screw 63 which is held with its spherical end 64 in a corresponding socket in the plate I8. By virtue of this spherical end of the said screw, the latter is capable of moving sideways enabling the screw to adapt its position relative to the angular position 0f the iron core 58, which position changes relative to the screw 63 Whenever manual adjustment is made.

iiexing of the strip 13, causing the magnetl 23 to approach or recede from the armature 2li. This automatic mechanical motion. of the magnetfeiected due to changes in temperature may be caused to be comparatively small or comparatively large with every degree of rise and fall in temperature, depending to a certain measure on the selection ofthe two separate metals of the thermostatic strip 13, or the particular location that the oscillations of the armature accelerate Y witnlowering of the temperature, then the strip 13 may easily be mounted so that it bends with changes in temperature, in directions contrary to those before stated. Moreover, similar reversal inthe direction of motion of the magnet 23 'may be effected by causing the end of the strip 13 to bear on-a pointof the arm 66 to the left of the pin 61.

Assuming for example that the escapement embodying the automatic thermostatic adjusting device is incorporated in a bread-toaster for the purpose of time-controllingv the toasting process,

. then the present invention 'in association with this particular feature is capable of rendering a very useful function, when taking into consideration that in the process of toasting a slice .of

bread, if Athe toaster is not pre-heated, it takes a longer time period for the bread to toast a` certain crispness than when the toasting process is started after the apparatus lhas already developed its maximum heat. With the incorporation of the hereinbefore described thermostatic timei mounted to the arbor 3.

a or lengthened by the difference of speed of the timing mechanism, edected by changes of temperature in the'toaster. i

Similarly, thethermostatic time regulating device may be adapted to an escapement used in clocks for compensation of the balance, when the Vlatter expands or contracts due to changes in temperature. In case of this latter application, the thermostatic device is so constructed thatyit eects changes in the magnetic moment of suitably small degrees.

The magnet shield 34 of the device of Figure 3, or the cross-bar 53 oil' the device oi Figure 7, may equally well be adapted to be automatically operated byv an element such as a thermostatic strip, or a thermostatic device oi different con.-l struction capable of rendering the iunctlon oi the one device herein disclosed.

`.an arrangement of magnet and armature, different in certain respects from the arrangement ci these parts1 heretofore described, is shown in Figure 9. Here two armatures, indicated by reierence numeral 1d, are shown mounted to the arbor 3; one of said armatures faces the front plate l1 and the other faces therear plate i8. Also, two magnets are employed; the magnet 16 assenso magnetic 4moment to occur ii thev arbor 3 is slightly displaced longitudinally due to play in the bearings. Such displacement of the said shaft may oi course take place only when the timing -device works in one particular position, namely face down, which normally is the side of theplate i1. In the most common positions in which time pieces are placed when working, an escapement device operating with only one maghet will not be disturbed by play in the bearings of the arbor 3, because in any other position except face down, the armature with its arbor Will be drawn towards that one magnet.

To avoid undue multiplications oi' drawings a further modification of a particular arrangement of magnets, cooperative with a vibrating armature, is shown in dotted lines in FigureV 4, between the two mechanism plates I1 and I8. It is to be kept in mind that the fundamental function of the magnetic force as applied in this invention may be accomplished by means of sevy eral separated magnets of comparatievly small is secured in an outcut in the plate l1, the formerv i also serving as a bearing for the arbor 3. The other magnet 16 is similarly arranged, being accommodated in an outcut ci the plate l 8 in which the magnet may be moved in or out with cooperation oi.' the bracket l1 and the adjusting screws 18 so that the distance between the two magnets, serving in this instant also as bearings, `may be properly adjusted for the necessary play of the 1 arbor 3.

It is to be noted, that once the two magnets are set in place they are not adjusted any more for the purpose of changing the distance of the intervening space between the magnets and `their respective armatures. ,In this device the armatures are adapted to be moved for the purpose of changing the rate oi' oscillations. In view of this fact, the armatures are mounted loosely on the arbor 3 on which they may be slid in a lengthwise direction of the arbor by adjusting screws 19, thus affording the couple'to be made weaker or stronger. Near each of the two armatures 14 is frictionally held, to the arbor 3, a support.

size instead of one magnet of comparatively large size. The two small magnets 8l, seenin Figure 4, are'held at a suitable distance from the face oi the armature 24, by the supporting member 82 which is shown in the form of a rod fixed .with its respective ends to the spacer posts i9 and 20. But any other suitable means may be employed if desired for supporting said magnets. The mean position which `the elongated part of the armature assumes, when exposed to the magnetic field of these two magnets, is the axis, more or less, traceable through the two magnets 8|. A singular/ characteristic which Cthis particular arrangement of two magnets presents is that the rate of oscillations of the armature 24 may be changed by shifting, the magnets 8| t0- ward the center of swingvof, the armature 24 or away from the center o1' swing. These stated results, due 'to shifting of the two magnets from one position to another, are derived from obvious reasons, namely, when the two magnets lie relatively close to the axis of the arbor 3, the leverage, so to speak, of the magnetic force acting on the armature J24 is comparatively small, whereas the reverse is the case when the two magnets 8| are moved, on their supporting member 82, to a position relatively far from the fulcrum of the armature 24. The eiIect which the v magnetic force of the two separatemagnets 8l into which the said screws 19 are iltted; turning i of these screws changes the dimension of the couple, hence changing the number o! vibrations in a measured time period.

Midway of the arbor 3 is shown a dlsk-4| with its pin 9 'which is adapted to cooperate with a. lever, 'or directly with an escapement wheel, for

alternate impulses to be delivered to the arbor 3, maintaining the` operation of the escapement with the aid of the, magnetic couple. In connection with this last described device it is feasible tofchangemhe magnetic moment by means Aof thev shielding or bridging method, in which casethe screws 19 and the supports 8l could be dispensed with, the armatures being then rigidly advantage is further provided by this arrangement in, that. it prevents any .possible change of has on the amature 24 is comparable'with the efiect of two separate very flexible springs, which may beimagined each one connected with one of its ends to the supporting rod.82 and with the other end connected to the armature 24, pulling f thereon when the latter is moved away from its zero position. It may therefor be readily seen that the action of magnetic force of two magnets arranged as immediately above described, is, in certain respects, diiierent thanthe action of a single magnet placed broad-side on centrally of the armature 24.

Another pair of magnets may be employed in practice, this second pair of magnets to be,

mounted in a similar manner as the magnets BI,

but on the opposite side oi' the amature 24, thus the lengthwise displacement of the arbor I will not induce vany changes in the rate oi oscillations of the armature 24.

A description now follows of two distinct and separate device whereby the magnetic moment Reference may be had to Figure 4 whererthis particular device is shown on the outside of `the bracket 46,

In rear of themagnet 23 is placed another magnet 83 which is held frictionally to the brack- Y tally established, will be set forth in the following paragraph.

, When the magnet B3 lies in a position so that its negative' and positive polar regions face the opposite polar regions of the magnet 23, lines of magnetic force are drawn off by the magnet 83, anda corresponding slowing down in the oscillations of the armature 24 results; whereas when the magnet 83 is turned away from that position, the rate of oscillations of the armature 24 `increases and reaches a maximum increase when the magnet 83 is brought to a position with its two polar regions facing like polar regions of the magnet 23. This maximum number of oscillations, so produced by means of the magnet 83, is considerably higher' .than the number of oscillations produced with one single magnet of a volume equal to-both the volume of the magnet 23 and the magnet 83 together. It may therefore be assumed that lin the posiiton of repulsion of the two magnets, magnetic lines of force are deected by the magnet 83 to the other side of the magnet 23, at which side the armature 24 is located. The above stated magnetic effect was observed with the magnet 83.smaller in size than the magnet 23. If the magnet 83A is made larger than the magnet 23 then the former overpowers the latter, causing the polarity of the magnet 24 to be ineifective on the armature 23 and the armature tends to move to a zero position determined bythe larger magnet.

The magnet 83 should therefore be made smaller than the magnet 23 in order to preserve the function of the latter. for which vit 'is here assigned.

It is felt that no drawing is considered necessary for the disclosure of a device for changing the magnetic moment by the blocking method. In its simplest form this device consists of a piece of soft iron mounted on an adjustable arm in the-vicinity' of the magnet 23. 'Ihe adjusting arm may be provided with a screw whereby the free end of the arm with its iron piece may be moved closer to or farther away from the magnet 23, as a result morelines or fewer lines of force are drawn oif by the iron lpiece on the arm in the vicinity of the magnet 23.

In Figure is illustrated still another form of magnet interacting with a vibrating armature. The magnet 85, shown U-shaped, is in this device so positioned relative to the armature 24 that the magnetic effect of the edge-on method is brought to bear on vthe oscillating armature. The magnet 85 'is `Vmounted on an ad- .lustable rod 86 by means of which the former may be moved inwards or outwards of the rim ofthe armature 2'4, thus enabling time adjust- `ment to be m'ade. The amature 24 swings with a portion of' its elongated section within the parallel bars of the magnet 85. In Apractice a second magnet may be placed similarly on the The stem 84, shown broken away,

opposite side of the one shown in order to prevent the armature 24 from being pulled toward one side.

More than two magnets may also be effectively employed, and if, for instance, four magnets are employed then the armature 24 is made in the form of a cross, or some similar shape, having the'end-portion of each arm project into the U-shaped magnet 85, as is illustrated in Figure 10.

The modification shown in Figure 1l possesses -certain features and advantages which are not embodied in any of the above described devices.

.It will be noted that there are two shafts 87A and 87B so mounted that they are jointly oscillant on a common axis, although they are not interlinked by any mechanical means. The

shaft 81A lies between the mechanism plate il I is established between these said two magnets.

Between the magnet 9U and the bracket BB another magnetic couple 92 is established by making said bracket 88 of soft iron or other suitable paramagnetic material. Both permanent magnets are made of an elongated shape and are so adjusted on their respective shafts, relative to the bracket 88, that when the said magnets as'- 'space between these two magnets than in the intervening space between the magnet Si? and .the bracket 83, although the spacing of these separate intervening spaces may be equal or nearly so. As a result of this diiference in magnetic moment a d iierence of elasticity of Ythe two couples Si and 92 is achieved. This ob- Y ject of course may be attained with only one permanent magnet, when substituting a soft iron piece for the magnet 89. In this latter case, the magnet B3 is moved closer to the said iron piece, and the intervening space between the magnet 9U and the iron bracket 88 is madeA correspondingly wider.

To present the characteristics manifested by the three magnetically interacting bodies more 'clearly to the mind, it may be imagined, for instance, that a spiral spring is connected vwith one end to the magnet 89 and with its other end to the magnet 9D; likewise, another spiral spring to be vconnected with one end to the magnet 90 and with the other end to the bracket 88.

Now, the main purpose of providing a weaker magnetic field for the couple 92 than for the couple 9L, is to cause the shaft 81B to turn with theshaft 81A when thelatter is mechanically` impelled, and, further, to enable the shaft 87B to overcome its initial resistance to turning with greater ease, which resistance is intro duced by reason of the magneto axis of the couple 92. The functional characteristic of the couple 9i is mainly that it compensates for ihequalities of impuises received by the pin 9, which inequalities oi impulses are liable to oci cui: due to variation in the driving power of the escape-wheel, which may be incorporated with this device.

A further illustration of the action of the component parts of the device of Figure 1l, is set forth in this paragraph. When the impulse, delivered to the shaft STA, is comparatively strong, the magnet t@ lags in its angular motion, following theme-griet more than when the impulse is comparatively weak. By virtue of this action s much heavier helence may he operated with a comparatively week impelling force of the escapemeht, because the twisting power in the couple Sill may be gradually increased, thus enabling effective force to 'oe built up gradually to a degree suicient for overcoming the inertia of the loaded shaft illB. Another advantageous feature of this device is that when the shaft tili is suddenly stopped in its rotation, the shaft MB may continue in `its rotetion in the same direction beyond that ofthe shaft Sie, and after the sheit @TB comes to a stop it is moved in s. reverse direction by medium of the twisting force of the couple si. As soon es the stress on the shaft fllfs is relieved by return of the shaft lil-7B, both shafts are from then on enehled to again swing together in the direction last named.

is shown in the drawing, the shaft @iB-cerries two arms 93. to which slioeble weights t@ cre mounted, thus providing the means'for the force of momentum suitable for a definite rete oi oscillation of the shaft and EE'EB. instead of weights, air-engaging venes may be mountl nient device disclosed in my application, Serial Number 70,773; tiled March 25, i936, then the device of Figure lo, oi this application, may ei-s fectively be adapted to operate in combination with a lever and escape-wheel' as disclosed in the prior application. However, other forms of escepements operating on. the recoil principle, or on other principles, may also be adapted for operation in conjunction with the last describeddevice, illustrated in Figure ll.

, A balance-wheel shaft of speciall construction is shown in Figure .12. By reason of this particular shaft-construction it is possible to make the greater portion of the body of the shaft oi. diamagnetic materiel, for instance such as phosphor bronze, german silver, brass., or non-metallic material; thus no appreciable magnetic ux is able'to pass into the main `body. of the shaft which is'edapted to carry the magnet, the' armature, the balance-wheel, 'or other load.

As may be clearly seen.' in the drawing, the

hardened steel which will stand wear for a compsratively long time; whereas the larger portion shaft 3B is provided at its lower end with c pivot 86, the latter is shown being formed from the-dlamagnetic material of the shaft 3B, which pivot is. adapted for the reception ofa. conical tip Sl which forms'the bearing portion of theshaft.

rRhis shaft-tiplcan be economically made, due

to' its comparatively small/size, from high grade .paramos f of the entireshaft, being made of a softer ma.-

terial, can be easily and economically machined.

Furthermore, if the shaft-tip Sil wears downv during long and continued operation, it is a simple task to remove the worn shaft-tip from the supporting pivot @E end to substitute e. new tip therefor. Both ends of the shaft may be constructed in this fashion, or another construction may be adopted such as is shown at the upperend of the shaft 3B in the same drawingfigure. At this end, the shaft 3B is provided with a bore 98 into which is toed a small disk 99 which may be made of suitable hard steel. A hole H06 is made into the said small dish to accommodate a. pin i OEE the letter abuis the bottom of the bore tt, preventing the flat end of the shaft to come in contact with the shoulder or" the screw HB2. in order to enable the pin itil to be properly adiusted relative to the shaft SIB, `the former is fashioned from the end-portion of the screw m2 which is screwed into the mechanism plate to an extent allowing sufficient play between the end of the pin lill and the bottom ci the bore S8, while the other end of the shaft rests in its bearing. In case the bearing for the other end of the rshaft 3B is mede so es to he adjustable, then the iti posses, the oil cannot now away and will therefore provide lubrication for a very long time. mix with the oil Whose lubricating quality will therefore be preserved over a great extent of time during operation of the device. When the hole in the smell disk Q9 is worn out, a new disk may be substituted.

The escapement oi' the present inventionwhich is constructed substantially so that an artirlcially produced magnetic couple affords the control in the rete of beat of the balance-wheel arbor and other members connected therewithmay also be ada-pmol to perform this function iol-connection with an electric time-control system comprising a primary clock. (also called a. master clock) and secondary clocks; the master clock being so constructed as to produce a. fluc- -ltuating current in the circuit et regular intervals by` means of which current the secondary clocks are operated.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention, I would state in conclusion that, While thefillustrsted examplesl constitute practicl embodiments of my inven' 1. Incombination, e. rst journalled shaft, a v second jourhalled shaft having a common axis with the first shaft but mechanically separated therefrom, means to actuate one of said shafts, netic substance carried by the first shaft, paramagnetc substance carried by the second shaft, andl a stationary paz-magnetic substance disposed in the vicinity of the paramagnetic substance of the second shaft, one or more of said Moreover, there is no change for dust to paramagnetic substances being permanently magnetized to create magnetic couples in the intervening space between the paramagnetic substances, one couple being adapted to effect motion in the second shaft when the first shaft is actuated, and the second magnetic couple being adapted to impede the motion of the second shaft when the latter is displaced angularly relative to the magnetic axis of the stationary paramagnetic substance. p

2. The combination with a time-governing device, comprising a shaft and a. paramagnetic balance on said shaft, positive means for impelling "said balance in an angular direction, and a first and second magnet disposed in proximity of the balance to produce magnetic couples whereby a counteractive force is set up when the balance is impelled over a definite angular degree; said rst magnet being disposed broadside-on at one side ot the balance. and the second magnet being disposed broadside-on at the opposite side of the balance to enable the latter to move closer to the magnet at one side when the balance recedes from the magnet at the other side to effect power compensation in the interacting magnetic couples of said first and second magnet.

3. In combination, an armature adapted to perform a mechanical operation, a first magnet disposed in proximity of the armature for producing a magnetic couple between the armature and said magnet on which couple the performance of operation of'the armature depends: a second magnet disposed in proximity of the iirst magnet; the first magnet lying intermediate of the armature and the second magnet; the second magnet possessing a weaker magnetic moment than the rst magnet, and means for moving the second magnet at will into a stationary position of magnetic repulsion or attraction relative to the first magnet to cause a greater number of lines of force to become disposed in said couple when the said two magnets are in a position of repulsion relative one to another as compared to the number of magnetic lines of force becoming disposed in said couple when the first and second magnet are in a position of magnetic attraction relative one to another. i

4. In combination, an armature adapted to perform a mechanical operation, a first magnet disposed in proximity of the armature for producing a magnetic couple between the armature and said magnet on which couple `the performance oi' I another.

5. In combination, a vfirst pivoted vibratory member adapted.- to be impelled periodically over a limited angular degree away from its mean angular position, a second co-acting oscillatory member mechanically separated from the iirst member; paramagnetic substance carried by the 'nrst vibratory member, paramagnetic substance carried by the second co-acting oscillatory mem- Y ber: the said substance of at least one of said' production of a magnetic couple whereby an operative link is established between the first and the second member to enable both to swing reciprocally in harmony, and supplementary means adapted for imparting retro-active force to the second oscillatory member when away from `its normal angular position to afford co-active impulse action to be effected periodically in the first and second member.

6. A magneto-kinetic device having a supporting frame, a movable mass in said frame having an effective magnetic field adapted to determine the position of the mass relative to its support, means co-active with the mass, said means being adapted for the production of a useful function dependent on the action of the mass subject to the effect of the magnetic field, a. plurality of magnets interactively arranged in the vicinity of the effective magnetic field for establishing its intensity, said plurality of magnets comprising a minimum of two in number disposed in proximity relative one to another to enable the normal range of certain lines of force of the magnets to be modified, and means for at will altering the position of one magnet relative to the other to any Idegree of magnetic attraction or repulsion in relationship with respect to each other for selectively establishing a lesser or greater degree of force of magnetic moment iii said effective magnetic field reactive on the movable mass.

7. In a magneto-kinetic device, a support, an angularly movable paramagneticmass having a magnetic field, means magnetically coupled to said mass for the performance of a useful function, a first magnet arranged for supplementing the magnetic force of the field reactive on the paramagnetic mass, said first magnethaving its magnetic axis disposed in a denite direction relative to the mass to enable the latter to assume a normal angular position; a second magnet having a weaker magnetic moment as compared to the magnetic moment of the first magnet to enable the latter to retain the predominant infiuence in the establishment of the magnetic axis in a denite direction; the second magnet being disposed in proximity of the first magnet at one side thereof for modifying the effectiveness of the voperation of the armature depends; `a second A members being permanently magnetized for the Il magnetic field acting on the paramagnetic mass, and means for at will altering the` position of the second magnet relative to the iist magnet in a manner to enable the said two magnets toA occupy relative to one another a position of magnetic repulsion or attraction or a position anywherev intermediate of the two first stated relative positions for selectively altering the effectiveness of the magnetic field in which the paramagnetic mass is adapted to operate.

8. In a magneto-kinetic device, a paramagnetic mass having a'magnetic iield, the mass being adapted to move within certain limits from one position to another, means magnetically coupled to said mass for the performance of a useful function, a lfirst magnet in the device adapted for the establishment of a definite magnetic moment in the magnetic iield whereby the action of the said mass is influenced, a second magnet disposed in a denite position relative to the rst magnet for modifying the intensity 'of magnetic force of the latter, and an instrumentality for disposing the second magnet stationarily in a definite selected position of magnetic repulsion relative to the first magnet for causing a definite amount of magnetic force o f said first magnet to be deected into the Y 

